lunedì 15 ottobre 2012

PAKISTAN - Action for Malala Yusufzai.

The attempt on
the life of 14-year Pakistani human rights activist, Malala Yusufzai,
highlights the extremely dangerous climate human rights defenders face
in northwest Pakistan, where female activists in particular live under
constant threats from the Taliban and other armed groups. In the last

twelve
months at least two activists working on women’s education, Farida
Afridi and Zarteef Afridi, were killed in a wave of targeted attacks by
the Taliban and other groups in the region.

Call on the Prime
Minister of Pakistan to ensure that human rights defenders, particularly
women activists in northwest Pakistan, receive the necessary protection
to carry out their work without fear of attack.

Action:

Dear Prime Minister Raja Pervez

The shock in Pakistan and globally over the attack on Malala Yusufzai
and her two classmates demonstrates that people of all walks of life and
from all over the world recognise the universal right of women and
girls to education and the same opportunities as men and boys.

Malala Yusufzai has campaigned for girls’ access to education in her
region since she was 11 years old, and her father continues to run one
of the few girls’ schools in the Swat valley despite constant threats
from the Taliban. Malala’s and her family’s courage and strength are an
inspiration to us all.

The attack on Malala highlights the
extreme dangers faced by human rights activists in northwest Pakistan.
Women’s rights activists in particular live under constant threats from
the Taliban, other armed groups as well as some religious groups. We are
deeply alarmed by the Taliban’s statement that Malala’s life would not
be spared if she survived the attack.

The Pakistan government
must also acknowledge that the threat faced by human rights defenders
comes not just from the Taliban but others in the society who seek to
justify their abuses as defence of religious sentiments. These elements
are emboldened when the state fails to bring perpetrators of attacks on
activists to justice.

We call on you to:

- Bring the
perpetrators of this brutal attack, and other attacks on human rights
defenders, to justice. Suspects must be tried in fair procedures and
without resort to the death penalty, while sending a clear message that
perpetrators of abuses are not above the rule of law;

-
Publicly affirm support for human rights defenders and their right to
carry out their work free from threats, attacks and intimidation;

- Ensure protection to Malala and her family, classmates and other
activists whom the Taliban have reiterated they will continue to attack;

- Urgently make all the legal and policy reforms necessary to address
the threats faced by activists working on women’s rights across Pakistan
to safeguard their vital work, in accordance with the UN Declaration on
Human Rights Defenders of 1998.